Temp Slip B~57

  We got moved to our temporary home, while they dredge out all the slips in our row. They start the dredging tomorrow. The marina said it will take about 2 and a half weeks to get done, but, all of the boaters said it took them a month last time they did any dredging. They broke down, and they only have one barge to put the mud on, so everything stops when they haul the mud out. I guess it is a pretty big mess when they do it. I will tell you about it in a later post. They gave us a slip on F dock, but when we checked it out, the guy 4 boats down, Bill, had moved into it, so we went back to the marina to get assigned another slip, and that slip is right between 2 huge power boats, so we would be in a tunnel, so back we go for another slip, and we had the choice between 57 and 59, so we picked 59, it looked like it would have the best view, and it would be pretty easy to get into, without a cement pylon on either side. It had an overnighter in it at the time, so we waited for almost a week to move, because he never left. So we moved last night to 57.
  The Cap'n got home from work around 7ish. I had already stowed everything down below, as a pre~sail drill. I removed all the canvas from around the cockpit. I made sure the topside was clear of anything you could trip on, made sure the whole cockpit was clear of all the wet towels, chairs, leashes, bungies, etc. so when the Cap'n got home all he had to do was fire up the Yanmar diesel engine, pull the lines and off we go.
  We are now right in front of the Yacht club, and just steps away from the marina viewing area. We are also right next to the little park that Sailor likes to play ball in. It is a good dock, new planks, and we have already met 2 guys, Greg, and Ray, they are from 2 of the 8 sailboats here on B dock, all the rest are powerboats. The super funny thing is that this slip is even shallower than our regular slip is. And hahaha I just noticed that the 'overnighter' in 59 is now gone. See what kinda stuff you have to worry about as sailboaters.
   The cap'n handled her perfectly. When we backed out we had to stay clear of the cement pylon on the starboard side, and he missed it by a wonderful couple of feet. The wind was blowing just a little harder than a breeze, so he had to make sure that it didn't grab the bow and bring her about. We cut across the center 'channel'. He clung to the C dock side, creeped he nose over to our slip, backed her a little, to get her straight, and BAM!!! she slipped in the slip without even touching a fender on the docks, on either side. You would think he has done this a hundred times. He is an awesome Cap'n. I am so very proud to be his Admiral/bunkmate. He has been calling me his Admiral.
bunkmate

Made in the Shade

  So we are now working on some shade and rain protection for the cockpit. We have been doing alot of thinking about the frame, and redesigning of the bimini and enclosure. After much deliberation, and frustration trying to have tube work done for the frame, we have decided to go with Iverson Designs DYI Frame kit from Iversons Designs. It should be here in a few weeks. We sent them all the measurements, then they will bend and weld the tubes, put together our specs, ship it to us, and we trim to length and put it together. 

The crew here has given much thought as to how we want the cockpit to look, but most importantly, it has to be functional under way. After some estimates for the bimini and enclosure, as well as some other items that we want to keep from protected from the tropical sun, we have decided take on the challenge of doing all the canvas ourselves. That means getting a sewing machine that will handle the canvas work, and sail mending when needed. 

Cap'n Carey sent our dimensions and such to alot of canvas places for estimates, and after some came back it was obvious we were not willing to fork over the B.O.A.T bucks (break out another thousand) required to have them do it for us. So have we decided the best way would be to spend that money on the sewing machine, parts, tools, and canvas material for just shy of most of the quotes that we got back, and a couple that we could buy 2. So we decided that we can do so much more than just the canvas work. We can do all the cushions, hatch covers, BBQ cover, and everything else with it too. It is an investment that will save us $$$'s in the end, and will be fun too. We decided to go with the  Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1. It goes for $899.oo for the deluxe kit witch includes the case to protect and carry the machine, as well as led light, and a few other add ons. It was on sale when we started looking at them, and now they aren't, so we can wait a little longer till they go back on sale, and we can save our $$'s till then. Our results are yet to be seen, but we will have more on that later.
bunkmate

Marina Babies

  There is a little momma duck, we are calling her momma, with 9 little babies, they are just little ones too. We are not supposed to feed them, so we don't. For the most part. They are so cute, when a piece of bread, accidentally falls overboard, the little babies try to get it before it sinks. One little baby tried to get the bread after it started to sink, he was so precious, his little but up in the air, and he tried so hard to dive under the water. Unfortunately it happened again, and again. but he finally got some bread. 

  The baby geese are beginning to look just like their mum and pop, just a little gray in the face, not quite white yet. They are almost as big as them now though. The poppa goose just hisses at you almost the whole time they are hanging out. The ducks and geese like to hang out in the shadows of our dinghy, and Steve's. We keep them suspended so the don't grow stuff on the bottom, and it makes good shade in the afternoon for them.

  They are going to be dredging the marina starting the first of August, so we are going to have to move over to a new slip. Everyone on our dock is having to move. We will be moving to #94 on B dock. That is on the other side of the marina. It is not too far from here, but it is over by the condos, and it is facing the other direction, which means we will have the prevailing wind up the aft. haha. Straight into the cockpit, like when we were in Napa. I don't think we will have to stay there for long. But I don't know how long the dredging will take, or the process it takes to do the whole marina. So stay tuned for more on that later.

    bunkmate

Shrimp On The Barbie

   After doing alot of researching, the Cap'n decided to get a BBQ that met our needs, would mount securely, and be easy to take off and easy to put on. We also wanted it to be easy to clean, and we didn't want it to drip grease and such down the side of Cerridwen. We also wanted it to be big enough to accommodate a bunch of food for when we have people come hang in the cockpit, or make a passage, or for beach parties, etc. It has a stand, but we opted not to get the stand as it would just have to be stowed, which means I would have to find somewhere to stash it. It can sit on a stump, or on a picnic table, etc.
The BBQ is a Sovereign which is made in Australia. We went with the Bravo model which is the smaller version and comes with the 'In~Line' burner and flat plate grill, which we were skeptical of at first, and fully intended to get the slotted plate, but it is not needed as much as we thought. It also comes with a 'oven rack' (for the lack of not knowing what the proper name is), BBQ oven wires is what the instructions call it. I was thinking we could just put it on top of the flat plate, to drain excess fat, or make the BBQ lines we all love on our BBQ food. 
 So chef Shine decided to make some yummy fajitas as the first meal cooked on the new BBQ. As usual it was delish. He is pretty happy to have a grill again. The next day we had pizzas, and they were pretty awesome too, made with all the yummy tomatoes and basil we got from the farmers market, and threw some mozzarella on the top, with pesto on the bottom. 
  I am such a lucky bunkmate, to have this man as my partner in crime. 

Perks

  In the process of getting settled in, alot of things have settled into their proper place, but, some things are in limbo. Moving from one spot to the next, until I can get things organized, and then re~organize the next day. We have settled into our new home, with all the things going on, it has been fun moving stuff around, everyday it seems, because I am learning where little cubbys are, and the long drawer, verses the half drawer, the closet that doesn't fit anything but foulies, and the little bit of cabinet area in the back can have stuff stuffed in them as well, BUT, it all keeps adjusting everyday. Put stuff that goes together, together, and then you find more of that kind of stuff, and it doesn't fit there anymore.
  We have gotten to put our little touches up.
  With the Cap'n working at Cartons and Crates we get some nice perks. At his work, they ship everything, but they mostly ship wines from people vacationing in the Napa valley, buying wine and art, that they have to ship home, because it doesn't fit in their suitcases. Sometimes it comes back to them as undeliverable, or they get damaged, etc. And sometimes nobody claims them, and they sit around for a long time. So it is a pretty cool perk. We have been able to taste some different wines and a way too smooth Tequila. Most of the wine is over $50.oo a bottle, yes, a bottle. They are pretty tasty, for the most part. The Pinot~noir is a very 'robust', but it makes some pretty good wine coolers.
  This is a pretty darn good lifestyle we have chosen. Everyone is so laid back, so un~hurried, just relaxed. Something everyone needs to have in their life.
  PEACE BE DA JOURNEY !!!
       bunkmate

1st 4th

  

  What a blast. We are so lucky to be able to live in this courageous country.  We spent our first Independence Day on our beautiful girl Cerridwen, in our new home port of Benicia. We were going to go to the raft~up, but that didn't go so well so we decided to go to town and see what we could find. So we jumped into the "Heather Marie" (the dinghy) and rowed over to the marina side. We walked the whole 2 blocks to get downtown Benicia. It was pretty hopping busy while we wandered around, trying to figure out what we wanted to eat. And beings as it is 4th of July, and that kinda requires you to BBQ, or eat BBQ, we decided to go to Kinders. They have a pretty courtyard in the back, that was perfect for the kiddz to hang out while we eat, and have a beer. Kinders was pretty busy, as usual. They are a sandwich/deli/BBQ place that has delicious everything. 

  By the time we got back to the marina things were starting to pick up. People were everywhere. The banks were lined with excited people, anticipating the fireworks. Most all the boats in the marina had people on them, and some had alot of people on them. It was a blast.

  Cap'n Carey had set up the fore deck with our chairs, a sleeping bag, and music. So as soon as the sun went behind the marina office, the kiddz and I went atop. We have the perfect slip to watch the works. The fireworks were lit right across the levee, behind the marina office, so the wind was blowing them right at us. Sailor was pretty scared though, he stayed under the sleeping bag, except for his head, he watched all the works. Shaking like a leaf.

  We went over to some new friends boat, Shear Water, which is a very nice sailing vessel owned by Dave and Kelly. Our Cap'n is in love with their canvas work they have done on her. They are a younger couple that has had their 5 year plan turn into a 10 year plan, but they still plan to go. however they are in no huge hurry while they both still have good jobs working for CalTrans. 
bunkmate

 

Yacht Club 'Raft Up'

 Cap'n Carey brought the sail out for the 'Heather Marie'. The Yacht club is having a huge raft up here in the marina, for the fireworks. Everyone just has to come in their dinghy, and hang out. Our first Raft Up.


The Marina life is pretty good. The baby geese are loosing their baby down, they have doubled in size the past couple of weeks, Sailor still stares at them, and Roxi doesn't care, if she can't bark at them. I have heard there is an Otter somewhere, but I have only seen his crap on peoples lines laying on the deck. As far as I know there is only 1 baby duck.

   I am shocked at the amount of Mitten Crabs there are. When we were involved with the 'Striped Bass Association' we were hell bent on keeping them out of our waterways. The Mittin Crabs come from the ballast's, from big ships that travel the water ways. They suck water in for balancing the load, while at sea. Then when they come in to port, they let all the water out. Well they have to be 3 miles out, away from land now. 
  bunkmate